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Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Sporty's Pilot Shop
Pilot's Discretion brings you authentic conversations with some of aviation's most interesting people. From honest discussions about flight training to fascinating stories from airshow pilots, this podcast is for anyone who loves to fly. Stay tuned for our rapid-fire "ready to copy" segment at the end of every episode, where we go beyond the cliches to find out what each guest really thinks. Brought to you by Sporty's Pilot Shop, training and equipping pilots worldwide since 1961. Have a comment? Email us: podcast@sportys.com
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday47 min
Seaplane adventures and challenges, with Steve McCaughey
Learning to fly seaplanes is a ton of fun, but Steve McCaughey from the Seaplane Pilots Association says it also improves your stick and rudder skills dramatically. He explains what you learn as a seaplane pilot, why amphibs have changed the industry, and his personal rules for safety gear. Steve also talks about the work of the SPA and how pilots can get involved in their local communities. In the Ready to Copy segment, Steve talks about flying antique seaplanes, the differences between flying boats and floatplanes, and his tips for making great aviation videos.SHOW LINKS:* Seaplane Pilots Association: https://seaplanepilotsassociation.org/* Seaplane Photo Contest: https://www.sportys.com/seaplane* Sporty’s Seaplane Rating Course: https://www.sportys.com/seaplane-rating-course-with-patty-wagstaff.html
- 2 weeks ago42 min
Understanding the pilot-controller relationship, with John Krug
The key to working collaboratively with ATC is to remember that humans are on both sides of the mic, says longtime pilot and air traffic controller John Krug. He offers tips for when to cancel IFR at non-towered airports, how to get that shortcut you want, and what his biggest pet peeve was as a controller. John also talks about how to practice decision-making once you’ve learned basic flying skills and why the checkride isn’t enough. In the Ready to Copy segment, John shares his opinion on when to declare an emergency, landing at St. Barth’s, and building an RV-9A.SHOW LINKS:* What you should never say to ATC: https://pilotworkshop.com/tips/3-things-never-say-atc/* John’s RV-9A build story: https://www.vansaircraft.com/first-flights/john-krugs-rv-9a/* IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops: https://sportys.com/mastery
- 4 weeks ago46 min
How to be a thinking pilot, with Rick Durden
Pilots should aspire to a higher standard than just passing the checkride, according to author and instructor Rick Durden. He explains how to be one of these “thinking pilots,” pursuing excellence while still having fun in the air, with tips for new pilots and pro pilots alike. Rick is unafraid to tackle any subject, so he also weighs in on why shock cooling is a myth and why talking about “real pilots” is foolish. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rick shares tips for landing on taxiways, his least favorite FAR, and the best handling airplane he’s ever flown.SHOW LINKS:* The Thinking Pilot’s Manual: http://www.rickdurden.com/book.html* Screw the Aviation Caste System: https://avbrief.com/the-pilots-lounge-157-screw-the-aviation-caste-system/* IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops: https://sportys.com/mastery
- Jun 16, 202643 min
Stick and rudder skills for modern pilots, with Rich Stowell
Master flight instructor Rich Stowell says manual flying skills and decision-making skills are complementary, but they’re often presented as an either/or choice. The spin master explains why that’s wrong and illustrates it with his “power-push-roll” recovery for spiral dives, an overlooked threat in aviation. He also shares a new way to train pilots, which he calls “learn-do-fly,” emphasizing the importance of teaching at the correlation level. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rich talks about the biggest mistake CFIs make during stall training, tips for hand-propping vintage airplanes, and what martial arts taught him about flying.SHOW LINKS:* Learn-Do-Fly Training Standard: https://www.communityaviation.com/standard* Standardizing Roll Recovery: https://www.richstowell.com/standardizing-roll-recovery-in-general-aviation/* Learn to Turn: https://www.richstowell.com/learn-to-turn/* IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops: https://sportys.com/mastery
- Jun 2, 202643 min
Using an Eclipse for charitable flights, with Mark Hanson
Public benefit flying might mean transporting a cancer patient or relocating turtles, but regardless of the mission Mark Hanson says it’s rewarding, fun, and great for keeping your pilot skills sharp. He talks about managing the pressure of these flights, how to get started with a volunteer pilot organization, and why his Eclipse is the perfect airplane. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about his most memorable passenger, tips for flying into busy airports, and a new aviation weather tool he likes.SHOW LINKS:* Become a volunteer pilot: https://vpoids.aircarealliance.org/join* Air Care Alliance webinars: https://www.youtube.com/@aircarealliance6167* IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops: https://sportys.com/mastery
- May 19, 202641 min
Is GA dying or thriving, with Tom Charpentier
More new pilots, more flying hours, and fewer accidents—that’s the positive picture EAA’s Tom Charpentier sees when he looks at the latest FAA numbers. He shares how to be an optimist about aviation, why the 1970s are not a fair comparison, and what issues could disrupt the current growth cycle. Tom is deeply involved in EAA’s regulatory work, and he explains the importance of FAA orders and what to expect from MOSAIC. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about his favorite part of AirVenture, flying the Cessna 170, and wilderness canoeing.SHOW LINKS:* EAA Green Dot podcast: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/eaa-the-green-dot-podcast* Article: “How Safe Is It?” https://inspire.eaa.org/2017/05/11/how-safe-is-it/* PJ2 GPS Radio: https://sportys.com/PJ2GPS
- May 5, 202640 min
The challenges and rewards of taildraggers, with Damian DelGaizo
Tailwheel airplanes demand excellent situational awareness and sharp manual flying skills, two things that modern pilots often lack according to taildragger expert Damian DelGaizo. The longtime flight school owner, who learned from an aviation legend, talks about the finer points of three-point landings, wheel landings, and Piper Cubs. He also explains why a touch pass is important for evaluating grass runways and why you might have to carry a garbage bag full of rocks when flying skiplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, Damian talks about dancing on the rudder pedals, how to fly with heel brakes, and teaching Harrison Ford to fly taildraggers.SHOW LINKS:* Tailwheel 101 videos:https://youtu.be/4mPmculCxkA* Andover Flight Academy: https://www.andoverflight.com/* PJ2 GPS Radio: https://sportys.com/PJ2GPS
- Apr 21, 202644 min
Hard truths about aviation safety, with Douglas Boyd
The GA accident rate is getting better, but aviation safety researcher Douglas Boyd says there’s still plenty of work to do. He shares a fascinating array of statistics in this episode, pulled from the 300+ papers he has authored, including how many hours is enough to stay proficient, what really causes landing accidents, and the truth about older pilots’ safety record. In the Ready to Copy segment, Dr. Boyd talks about flying out of CG, whether engine TBO really matters, and the best places to visit in Scotland.SHOW LINKS:* Airline vs. GA pilot safety:https://commons.erau.edu/publication/1494/* Aging pilots study: https://commons.erau.edu/publication/2419/* PJ2 GPS Radio: https://sportys.com/PJ2GPS
About Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's
Pilot's Discretion brings you authentic conversations with some of aviation's most interesting people. From honest discussions about flight training to fascinating stories from airshow pilots, this podcast is for anyone who loves to fly. Stay tuned for our rapid-fire "ready to copy" segment at the end of every episode, where we go beyond the cliches to find out what each guest really thinks. Brought to you by Sporty's Pilot Shop, training and equipping pilots worldwide since 1961. Have a comment? Email us: podcast@sportys.com
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